Hi Mr. Meyer I wanna that I'm going on 20 years old soon and that i always enjoyed watching your show growing up since the early 2000s at my uncles on the outdoor channel. I still watch ur reviews hear on RUclips once in awhile.
I have the 2012 model 400 KQ with the cvt... It's a good four wheeler, I have put it to the test on the Blue Ridge mountains in North Carolina, It will climb anything, and when you come down the mountain it feels safe, even with slipping and sliding rock coming down a steep old creek bed I still felt like I had control. I weigh about 240lbs and it had no trouble climbing to the top of the mountain! I have drove it right down though the creek many of times with no trouble!
I am still loving the King Quad 400, my last trip I went to the top of a mountain, even though I have been to the tops of mountains before, the last mountain had real steep hill climbing so I naturally put it in 4x4 low, and it did wonderful, climbed all the way to the top with out any problems!
Both are great ATVs and you won't regret the purchase of either one of them. But with that said, the KQ400 is one of my all-time favorite ATVs and in fact are using this very unit as a long-termer where we put on 'the essentials' (winch, fuel packs, mirror, bag, and tires) to make it what I think is not only a great ATV, but a great value as well.......
Thanks for posting. your videos are very informative, honest, and actually helped me gain approval from the all important wife to pickup an ATV. I'm struggling in choosing between a 2012 KinQuad 400 ASi, and a rancher 420 ES. Any input / opinions you have are greatly appreciated. My use is 90% trail riding (Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Washington State). Planning a trip to the Pauite Trail thanks in part to your videos.
Thanks for the review. I'm looking to purchase a new atv. I would most likely buy the King Quad 400 foot shift. Air cooled with oil cooler is the same as my 1991 King Quad 300 4wd. Bought new and has not had any problems in 25+ years. Just maintenance, valve adjustments, cables, cv boots, air filters, batteries, brakes, tires. Another option is the Rancher 420 FM. Same price but has no low range, liquid cooled, no odometer/speedometer. What are your thoughts on the two atvs ?
Both great ATVs. The Rancher may be a little smoother riding. Also Honda claims that their 1st gear is low enough so there is no need for a low range. That's kinda true but I still prefer a low range. With that said my choice would be the KQ.
Good video Doug, I'm a fan of this machine, I like it's price. I think it's really worth pointing out, that when you are hunting, and need to track through the woods to get your deer, or moose. The narrowness of this machine is so handy. It's all about getting as close as you can get right? And I can testify that this little machine, can pull out a moose, living here in Canada I've seen it a lot. :)
agree on the IRS...more to go wrong more CV joints/boots etc.... I also agree on FRONT DIFF LOCK and i am mad at honda for not putting that on any quad they make
Not all straight-axle set-ups are created equal...this set-up has two shocks with a drum brake.(this setup is solid.toosolid.you can see the bike bouncing wildly through the creek bed) The Kawasaki KVF360 and Brute Force 650 use a single-shock,it is pre-load adjustable.It can be cushy soft or load hauling stiff...The rear-end differential and the oil-bathed,multi-disc brakes,are impervious to water and dust!.. I know that any straight axle is superior to independant when loading the racks heavy.
I agree that a lockable front differential is of value on every ATV, but I can't agree with the IRS - a solid rear axle has a lot of advantages over an IRS system. Simple, solid, stable.
I'd probably choose the STI Black Diamonds. And maybe even 26" as they run small when you air them down to the 2 1/2 pounds needed for this light of a machine.
I picked up the KingQuad, largely based on the reviews I've found including this one. What's your opinion on a break in period for a new quad? Hoping to see you on the trails.
Great. The best break in is simply to vary the speed. Try to keep the engine from just staying at a constant rpm for minutes at a time... Other than that, just ride it! Might change the oil after about 100 or so miles....
The Foreman is a little faster, a little smoother, and has power steering available. Both are very reliable. The Foreman is a bit larger sized as well.
I have a 2012 and though im unsure if the 2013 is the same but this thing really needs a reverse rev limiter override. Has been a constant problem especially when in muddy conditions to not have full power in reverse to get out of sticky sitiuations. I really feel Suzuki dropped the ball on this point but otherwise it is a great ATV.
There is a guy here in Massachusetts selling a 2013 King Quad 400 on Craigslist for $4500 with a few hundred miles. Is that a good price? Is there a blue book for ATVs that I can reference. Thanks!
Needs diff lock and independent suspension, the kind quad 300's were just as reliable as this machine. Id take the 300 as a work horse over this machine, the diff lock is just too often a necessity when you run into trouble and the solid axel can throw you for a loop when hitting bumps descending terrain...
Doug I just bought a Kingquad 400 ASI and I love it . Your review was dead on .GREAT ATV
Hi Mr. Meyer I wanna that I'm going on 20 years old soon and that i always enjoyed watching your show growing up since the early 2000s at my uncles on the outdoor channel. I still watch ur reviews hear on RUclips once in awhile.
Thanks Andy. It's always great to hear from a long-time fan...
I have the 2012 model 400 KQ with the cvt... It's a good four wheeler, I have put it to the test on the Blue Ridge mountains in North Carolina, It will climb anything, and when you come down the mountain it feels safe, even with slipping and sliding rock coming down a steep old creek bed I still felt like I had control. I weigh about 240lbs and it had no trouble climbing to the top of the mountain! I have drove it right down though the creek many of times with no trouble!
I am still loving the King Quad 400, my last trip I went to the top of a mountain, even though I have been to the tops of mountains before, the last mountain had real steep hill climbing so I naturally put it in 4x4 low, and it did wonderful, climbed all the way to the top with out any problems!
Both are great ATVs and you won't regret the purchase of either one of them. But with that said, the KQ400 is one of my all-time favorite ATVs and in fact are using this very unit as a long-termer where we put on 'the essentials' (winch, fuel packs, mirror, bag, and tires) to make it what I think is not only a great ATV, but a great value as well.......
I love the mid-sized ATV's, more nimble and lighter. My favorite feature is the availability of a foot shift transmission.
Thanks for the kind words - appreciation is the fuel that powers us ;-)
Thanks for posting. your videos are very informative, honest, and actually helped me gain approval from the all important wife to pickup an ATV. I'm struggling in choosing between a 2012 KinQuad 400 ASi, and a rancher 420 ES. Any input / opinions you have are greatly appreciated. My use is 90% trail riding (Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Washington State). Planning a trip to the Pauite Trail thanks in part to your videos.
I have a 2012 suzuki kingquad 400, and i love it, it will do as good of a job as a bigger 4 wheeler will!!!
Thanks for the review. I'm looking to purchase a new atv. I would most likely buy the King Quad 400 foot shift.
Air cooled with oil cooler is the same as my 1991 King Quad 300 4wd. Bought new and has not had any problems in 25+ years. Just maintenance, valve adjustments, cables, cv boots, air filters, batteries, brakes, tires.
Another option is the Rancher 420 FM. Same price but has no low range, liquid cooled, no odometer/speedometer.
What are your thoughts on the two atvs ?
Both great ATVs. The Rancher may be a little smoother riding. Also Honda claims that their 1st gear is low enough so there is no need for a low range. That's kinda true but I still prefer a low range. With that said my choice would be the KQ.
Good video Doug, I'm a fan of this machine, I like it's price. I think it's really worth pointing out, that when you are hunting, and need to track through the woods to get your deer, or moose. The narrowness of this machine is so handy. It's all about getting as close as you can get right? And I can testify that this little machine, can pull out a moose, living here in Canada I've seen it a lot. :)
I got a 2008 kingquad 400 as with 16,000 miles strong :)
agree on the IRS...more to go wrong more CV joints/boots etc.... I also agree on FRONT DIFF LOCK and i am mad at honda for not putting that on any quad they make
Not all straight-axle set-ups are created equal...this set-up has two shocks with a drum brake.(this setup is solid.toosolid.you can see the bike bouncing wildly through the creek bed)
The Kawasaki KVF360 and Brute Force 650 use a single-shock,it is pre-load adjustable.It can be cushy soft or load hauling stiff...The rear-end differential and the oil-bathed,multi-disc brakes,are impervious to water and dust!..
I know that any straight axle is superior to independant when loading the racks heavy.
The 500 is exactly like the bigger 750 with the exception of the engine. It has IRS and a locker. Very, very good machine.
Is the engine the same 376 cc that came on prev. year's models (other than, of course, the addition of fuel injection?)?
I agree that a lockable front differential is of value on every ATV, but I can't agree with the IRS - a solid rear axle has a lot of advantages over an IRS system. Simple, solid, stable.
Doug - how often have you had trouble with liquid cooled engines out on the trail? What did you run into?
I'd probably choose the STI Black Diamonds. And maybe even 26" as they run small when you air them down to the 2 1/2 pounds needed for this light of a machine.
I picked up the KingQuad, largely based on the reviews I've found including this one. What's your opinion on a break in period for a new quad? Hoping to see you on the trails.
did i hear you mention this model has optional 5 speed w/ high low and reverse? if it does then this is what i will save up for!
Great. The best break in is simply to vary the speed. Try to keep the engine from just staying at a constant rpm for minutes at a time... Other than that, just ride it! Might change the oil after about 100 or so miles....
Yes. We have a test of it. Check our website.
I too hate things that are there to protect those that shouldn't be riding in the first place ;-)
Hello Sir, please tell me preferences betwen Suzuki 400 Asi and 2012 Honda Foreman 4x4 EPS 500. Pro and Cons. Best regards. Great web. Great videos.
The Foreman is a little faster, a little smoother, and has power steering available. Both are very reliable. The Foreman is a bit larger sized as well.
WILL DO! by the way,where are y'all located?
They have it on some of the newer Foremans, maybe Ranchers too...
I have a 2012 and though im unsure if the 2013 is the same but this thing really needs a reverse rev limiter override. Has been a constant problem especially when in muddy conditions to not have full power in reverse to get out of sticky sitiuations. I really feel Suzuki dropped the ball on this point but otherwise it is a great ATV.
INCREDIBLE!
And the Suzuki offers reliability ;-)
Great point.
You know, I'll bet there are aftermarket lockable front diffs. that are available.
There is a guy here in Massachusetts selling a 2013 King Quad 400 on Craigslist for $4500 with a few hundred miles. Is that a good price? Is there a blue book for ATVs that I can reference. Thanks!
Google ATV Blue Book.
What does the ASI mean in the model description?
Automatic Shift, Injected.
how does ASI work??
Needs diff lock and independent suspension, the kind quad 300's were just as reliable as this machine. Id take the 300 as a work horse over this machine, the diff lock is just too often a necessity when you run into trouble and the solid axel can throw you for a loop when hitting bumps descending terrain...
Southern California and Utah
damn good bike got her new in 2008 for 3800 bucks :P got a good damn deal and a good bike :P
Never had a single issue with anything to do with liquid-cooling....
Not as you think.
Same basics.
Automatic Suspension Independent. Or; Asymetrics Sometimes Iffy. Or perhaps; Absolutely Silly insides.....
yea 6k for a 400 i got a polaris 500 ho for 4k waste of money